Russia’s Gazprom launches construction of Turkish Stream gas pipeline

MOSCOW

Cihan Photo

The head of Russian gas producer Gazprom said on May 8 the firm had taken a decision to start building the Turkish Stream pipeline and that preparations to build the undersea stretch of the pipeline were under way.

“Today, Gazprom moved to the construction stage of the sea part of the Turkish Stream pipeline,” Gazprom chief executive Alexei Miller said, in an interview with Rossiya 24 television, as quoted by Reuters. 

Gazprom began work on the Turkish Stream pipeline after it abruptly abandoned the South Stream project in December 2014, citing objections from Europe. 

Meanwhile, the pipeline will become operational in December 2016, said Miller on May 7, as quoted by RIA Novosti.

“An agreement [between Russia and Turkey] has been reached on operational commissioning and gas deliveries via the Turkish Stream will start in December 2016,” he said.

Gazprom’s Miller met Turkish Minister Energy Minister Taner Yıldız in Ankara May 7, Gazprom said in a statement. 

The agreement was signed by both Miller and Yıldız.